Offshore wind manufacturing, deployment, and the just transition in Texas

The development of the offshore wind industry is expected to provide employment opportunities and boost the economies of coastal communities. However, detailed studies on the impact of offshore wind projects on the electric grid and locally created jobs are lacking, underscoring the need to fully assess the impacts of these projects. To address these gaps, this study conducts two analyses of the Gulf of Mexico region. First, the study uses economic input-output modeling to assess the job creation and economic impacts of offshore wind manufacturing. This part of the study explores the number and types of jobs that would be created, and the overall economic impact of these projects by constructing two potential manufacturing hubs along the Gulf Coast and in large urban centers. Second, the study utilizes a capacity expansion model to characterize the impacts of meeting offshore wind installed capacity targets, specifically in Texas, while accounting for various constraints. Using these two analyses, this work aims to clarify the extent to which offshore wind can economically contribute to the Gulf of Mexico region, and further gain insights into the supply and demand of jobs as well as other corresponding factors required to sustain the industry's increasing growth. These findings provide insights into the impacts of offshore wind adoption on long-term grid planning, the resulting economic impacts in a region with high levels of renewable energy and oil and gas infrastructure, and lead to a discussion on the challenges and opportunities to ensure a just transition.